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SHANE DUNLOP BELLINGER VALLEY BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
BASKETBALL CLUBS FROM COFFS HARBOUR AND BELLINGEN ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP PUT MORE YOUTH ON THE COURTS. FOCUS CAUGHT UP WITH ROB HOY AND SHANE DUNLOP TO FIND OUT HOW THEY HAVE HELPED HEAL AN OLD RIVALRY AND MOVE THE CLUBS TOWARDS A CONSTRUCTIVE FUTURE.
Rob Hoy - Coffs Harbour Basketball Association(CHBA).
H
ow long have you been playing basketball? I've been involved in basketball for 40 years and coaching for 38. I started down in Victoria with the Fosters Phantoms in 1976, playing and coaching a variety of teams. We moved to Coffs Harbour in 2002, when we saw the potential of the area from a business perspective but also as a fantastic place to raise a young family. My son, Blake, played for the Coffs Harbour Suns under 12 men’s team, before playing for the Bellinger Braves. Is the sport popular on the Coffs Coast and with the youth of the area? I believe basketball is one of the most popular sports in the Coffs Coast region, because you can play in all types of weather; it offers a diverse range for all skill levels. It gives children the opportunity to play sport in a happy and safe environment. Coffs Harbour basketball runs a primary and high school domestic competition, as well as ladies' and men's competition during the week to cater for everyone. Can you give us a brief description of your club’s history? In 2006 we started Bellinger Valley Basketball Association, to participate in the Northern Junior League competition. We started the club to give opportunities to players who still wanted to continue playing basketball that didn't make the Coffs Harbour Suns rep teams, and also we saw the
10 coffs coast focus.
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“ opportunity to expand basketball to previously untapped areas with limited sporting participation. As a group, we strongly believed in the creation of a basketball "family", where the emphasis was on nurturing young people to achieve their potential. Our first year we had three teams: under 14 boys and girls and under 16 boys. Each year we continued to grow and field more teams; in 2016 for the first time ever we entered nine teams, one in each age group, with two under 14 boys' teams. All nine teams made finals, seven teams made the grand final and five teams took out first place. When did you take on your current role at the club? I took over this role when unfortunately our President and one of my closest friends, Bronwyn Vigors, passed away; I have actually been President previously. Since Bronwyn passed away, all teams have dedicated this season to her. We are also running a Bronwyn Vigors Pacific Challenge, which is an odd age carnival. The Vigors family have also offered a scholarship to help out a player due to their family's economic circumstances and might be in need of some financial help, which I think is really important. I am also the Head Coach and Referee Coordinator, I believe it is just as important to develop our juniors in refereeing and as coaches, because they are the future of our sport. Many people expected that the rivalary that exsisted between the clubs would never be breached. What was the
motivation behind burying the hatchet? Bellinger Braves have always been about getting the kids on the court to play basketball. We believe that the future of basketball in the Coffs Coast and Bellingen region relies on the two clubs working together and promoting basketball to the children who are the future of the sport. I believe that together we can promote and sustain full associations and teams in all age groups. With the change of committee members and new blood in both associations, we have been able to achieve a very good working relationship. Working with Rob Hoy and Naomi Markham has been nothing but a positive experience. What do you hope will be some of the benefits of the two teams cooperating? There are many benefits of the two associations working and sharing our knowledge together. We can now share referees, which is something both clubs lack in quantity. Coffs also run a quality domestic competition, which we can enter teams into. It also gives the opportunity for advanced players to participate in higher premier league basketball and still return to play in Northern Junior League. At the end of the day, we are all here for the same reasons, which is the children and the sport of basketball, which we all love.
If we all focus and remember this, our sport will be in good shape in this region. What are some of the plans for the future? Our main aim is to develop and grow basketball in the northern region. BVBA has now had the approval of a feasibility study for the proposed stadium build in Urunga, which will secure us with a two court home stadium. This will provide not only a sporting opportunity, but cultural and social outcomes, ensuring a healthier and fitter community. In 2017, the two associations are planning to jointly run the annual Bronwyn Vigors Pacific Challenge for odd age, which would help secure more major associations competing. We also plan to continue to field teams in all age divisions and secure a round of the NJL competition at Sportz Central. We are hoping to continue working together with Coffs Harbour Basketball in a positive manner for the future of the sport in a country area. Where can people find out more? We are always keeping our website and Facebook up to date with all information and upcoming trials, training and carnivals. We can be contacted on any of the below: bellingerbraves@gmail.com, www.bellingervalleybasketball.sportingpulse. net or https://www.facebook.com/ BellingerValleyBraves/ Thanks Shane.